A significant number of infants in Zimbabwe are not exclusively breastfed, falling short of the Sustainable Development Goal target set for 2030, the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has noted.
In commemoration of International Breastfeeding Week, themed “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” UNICEF lamented that despite active structures and policies to promote optimal infant and young child feeding in Zimbabwe, many infants and young children are not breastfed.
“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and optimal early childhood development. It provides babies with their first immunisation and all the nutrients required for optimal brain development and growth. However, many mothers and infants lack the necessary support to start and continue breastfeeding successfully,” UNICEF noted in a statement.
“Globally, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life is low. This situation is mirrored in Zimbabwe, falling short of the Sustainable Development Goal target of at least 70 percent by 2030. Zimbabwe has active structures and policies to promote optimal infant and young child feeding. Nevertheless, many Zimbabwean infants and young children are not breastfed.”
UNICEF stated that, according to the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) report, a substantial number of children are not breastfed within the first hour after birth.
“Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life remains low. Although a majority of children continue to be breastfed at one year, many stop before reaching the recommended 24 months,” UNICEF noted.
“The increasing use of bottles for feeding children up to 23 months of age is a growing concern, as it threatens both breastfeeding’s natural processes and the environment.”
UNICEF highlighted that, in recent years, Zimbabwe has seen aggressive promotional activities by manufacturers of breast milk substitutes through health workers and the promotion of specific products, including formula milk and follow-on milk marketed as ‘supplementary’ to breastfeeding.
“Marketing influences social norms by making formula use seem extensive, modern, and comparable to or better than breast milk. To address this, comprehensive breastfeeding support must be available to all mothers, regardless of their circumstances. This includes paid maternity leave, access to unbiased and medically sound information on infants’ first foods, and working environments that allow mothers to breastfeed,” the statement read.
“Young, working mothers with disabilities, as well as those living in poverty, with HIV, and in emergencies, all require tailored information, counselling, and practical assistance to breastfeed. The Government of Zimbabwe, with support from UNICEF, recently reviewed the National Infant Nutrition Regulations: SI-46 of 1998 to update national guidance in line with the latest World Health Assembly principles and address the growing influence of digital media as a source of information and a platform for aggressive marketing and advertising.”
To address the challenge, UNICEF said they are working with the government and the World Health Organization (WHO), calling for a whole-of-society multi-sectoral approach to support breastfeeding in the country.
“This will include legislation, such as the ratification by Zimbabwe of the updated SI 46 on the Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, and strengthening the health systems to promote breastfeeding through the health delivery system with an emphasis on the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative,” UNICEF noted.
“There is also a need for advocacy and communication to implement a well-coordinated national social and behaviour change strategy, including breastfeeding campaigns. Monitoring and reporting will also be needed for enforcement of regulations, monitoring of violations, and marketing activities. Breastfeeding interventions will include the promotion of workplace breastfeeding spaces and family-friendly workspaces, and the strengthening of maternity protection regulations.”
